87S10901 JG-D
By: Sherman, Sr. H.B. No. 259
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of subcommittees within the Texas
Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee to study maternal
mortality.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 34, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
adding Sections 34.022, 34.023, and 34.024 to read as follows:
Sec. 34.022. SUBCOMMITTEE ON MATERNAL HEALTH DISPARITIES.
(a) In this section, "subcommittee" means the subcommittee on
maternal health disparities established under this section.
(b) The department and the review committee shall
establish, within the review committee, a subcommittee on maternal
health disparities to:
(1) study maternal mortality rates among women in this
state; and
(2) develop and provide recommendations to the
department and the review committee on improving maternal health
outcomes.
(c) The subcommittee is composed of a number of members who
meet appropriate qualifications as determined by the department and
review committee.
(d) A member of the subcommittee serves at the pleasure of
the department and the review committee.
(e) The members of the subcommittee shall elect a presiding
officer from among the membership of the subcommittee.
(f) The subcommittee may accept gifts, grants, and
donations from any source to carry out the subcommittee's duties
imposed under this section.
(g) The subcommittee is abolished and this section expires
September 1, 2031.
Sec. 34.023. SUBCOMMITTEE ON MATERNAL HEALTH DISPARITIES
FOR BLACK WOMEN. (a) In this section, "subcommittee" means the
subcommittee on maternal health disparities for black women
established under this section.
(b) The department and the review committee shall
establish, within the review committee, a subcommittee on maternal
health disparities for black women to:
(1) study maternal mortality rates for black women in
this state and any related disparities; and
(2) develop and provide recommendations to the
department and the review committee on improving maternal health
outcomes among black women in this state.
(c) The subcommittee is composed of 11 members appointed by
the department and the review committee as follows:
(1) three licensed obstetricians or gynecologists
certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, each
with 15 or more years of experience in either field and a patient
base consisting of not less than 25 percent of individuals who are
members of a racial minority;
(2) one primary care physician with 15 or more years of
experience in that field and whose expertise is in maternal health;
(3) one surgeon with 15 or more years of experience in
that field and whose expertise is in maternal health;
(4) one anesthesiologist with 15 or more years of
experience in that field and whose expertise is in maternal health;
(5) one licensed mental health professional with 15 or
more years of experience in that field and whose expertise is in
postpartum depression;
(6) one neonatologist;
(7) one perinatologist; and
(8) two individuals with relevant and appropriate
expertise in maternal health.
(d) In making the appointments under Subsection (c)(1), the
department and the review committee shall ensure:
(1) one member is an obstetrician or gynecologist with
10 or more years of experience specializing in the field of
neonatology;
(2) one member is an obstetrician or gynecologist with
10 or more years of experience specializing in the field of
perinatology; and
(3) one member is an obstetrician or gynecologist with
experience working at a community hospital as an obstetrician or
gynecologist for less than nine years.
(e) The members of the subcommittee shall elect a presiding
officer from among the membership of the subcommittee.
(f) The department and the review committee shall fill a
vacancy on the subcommittee by appointing a person who has the same
qualifications as required for the original appointee.
(g) A member of the subcommittee is not entitled to
compensation for service on the subcommittee but is entitled to
reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in
performing subcommittee duties authorized by the presiding
officer, provided funding is available for that purpose.
(h) The subcommittee shall meet at least quarterly and at
other times at the call of the presiding officer.
(i) Notwithstanding Chapter 551, Government Code, or any
other law, the subcommittee may meet by telephone conference call,
videoconference, or other similar telecommunication method. A
meeting held by telephone conference call, videoconference, or
other similar telecommunication method is subject to the
requirements of Sections 551.125(c), (d), (e), and (f), Government
Code.
(j) The subcommittee may accept gifts, grants, and
donations from any source to carry out the subcommittee duties
imposed under this section.
(k) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
subcommittee established under this section.
(l) The subcommittee established under this section and
this section expire on September 1, 2031.
Sec. 34.024. BIENNIAL REPORTS; IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN
RECOMMENDATIONS. (a) Not later than September 1 of each
even-numbered year, the subcommittees established under Sections
34.022 and 34.023 shall each prepare and submit to each member of
the legislature, the department, and the review committee a report
that:
(1) includes the results of the study conducted by
each subcommittee and recommendations for legislative or
regulatory action based on those results; and
(2) examines and considers any trends or changes in
maternal health.
(b) To the extent permitted by law and as the executive
commissioner determines appropriate, the commission shall
implement any regulatory recommendations included in a report under
this section that are within the commission's prescribed authority.
(c) This section expires September 1, 2031.
SECTION 2. Not later than February 1, 2022, the Department
of State Health Services and the Texas Maternal Mortality and
Morbidity Review Committee established under Chapter 34, Health and
Safety Code, shall establish and appoint members to the
subcommittees as required under Sections 34.022 and 34.023, Health
and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect December 1, 2021.